Open letter to Ginia Bellafante (who ripped the HBO AGOT series apart, and then attacked the books)
(she pretty much claims women will only watch for the sex because they could not possibly care about the subject matter, it's really awful and biased. read that crap here: http://tv.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/arts/television/game-of-thrones-begins-sunday-on-hbo-review.html?scp=1&sq=game%20of%20thrones&st=cse )
Ms. Bellafante-
I am one of millions of women around the *world* who happen to have not only read Mr. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books, I have read these books several times. And they aren't small books. They aren't easy reads. A Storm of Swords in its paperback form is 1125 pages. It has 244 voiced characters (I believe). You may be dismayed to learn that for the series, several characters have already gotten the axe to keep it simple. I'm sorry it isn't simple enough for you. That doesn't mean it is difficult for everyone.
I am disgusted that you imply the only reason women would watch the show is because of the sex. The sex in the books has never been a motivating factor for me. Why would I wade through 1000 pages of well-written dialogue just for the sex? Please. I haven't seen the show so I can't speak for how it is handled, but in the books, it's pretty realistic, it's never added gratuitously, and 90% of the time, it is necessary to the plot line.
For the record, i would not be writing this angry email if you hadn't taken the books to task, but since you did...
I love these books like I have never loved fiction. I like Annie Dillard and Barbara Kingsolver and Ayn Rand, not just books about dragons. But I tell you what- I don't own first *and* second editions of their books. I have never stood in line for five hours to get a book signed by Barbara Kingsolver. I've done that for George. Why? Because he is a great guy, his books are interesting and well-written, and he respects his female audience like possibly no other fantasy author has done. I got a phrase from A Game of Thrones engraved in my husband's wedding ring. And you know what? I am not the only one. For giggles, someday you should just look into how many little girls have been named Arya in the past 10 years. Do you really think that many mothers would give up naming rights?!?!?
Please don't make sweeping generalizations about women and what books they prefer to read. You, apparently, don't know any women like me. It's a pity that your friend circle is so small and narrow. Enjoy Laurie Moore's next book. Or whatever her name is. Never heard of her.
Ms. Bellafante-
I am one of millions of women around the *world* who happen to have not only read Mr. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books, I have read these books several times. And they aren't small books. They aren't easy reads. A Storm of Swords in its paperback form is 1125 pages. It has 244 voiced characters (I believe). You may be dismayed to learn that for the series, several characters have already gotten the axe to keep it simple. I'm sorry it isn't simple enough for you. That doesn't mean it is difficult for everyone.
I am disgusted that you imply the only reason women would watch the show is because of the sex. The sex in the books has never been a motivating factor for me. Why would I wade through 1000 pages of well-written dialogue just for the sex? Please. I haven't seen the show so I can't speak for how it is handled, but in the books, it's pretty realistic, it's never added gratuitously, and 90% of the time, it is necessary to the plot line.
For the record, i would not be writing this angry email if you hadn't taken the books to task, but since you did...
I love these books like I have never loved fiction. I like Annie Dillard and Barbara Kingsolver and Ayn Rand, not just books about dragons. But I tell you what- I don't own first *and* second editions of their books. I have never stood in line for five hours to get a book signed by Barbara Kingsolver. I've done that for George. Why? Because he is a great guy, his books are interesting and well-written, and he respects his female audience like possibly no other fantasy author has done. I got a phrase from A Game of Thrones engraved in my husband's wedding ring. And you know what? I am not the only one. For giggles, someday you should just look into how many little girls have been named Arya in the past 10 years. Do you really think that many mothers would give up naming rights?!?!?
Please don't make sweeping generalizations about women and what books they prefer to read. You, apparently, don't know any women like me. It's a pity that your friend circle is so small and narrow. Enjoy Laurie Moore's next book. Or whatever her name is. Never heard of her.